In the world of interior design, few objects carry as much weight as the Barcelona Chair. Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich for the 1929 International Exposition in Spain, this chair wasn’t just furniture—it was a throne for modern royalty.
Born from Architecture
Mies van der Rohe famously said, “God is in the details.” The Barcelona Chair proves it. Its X-shaped frame was inspired by the folding chairs of ancient Rome, yet its execution was pure 20th-century industrialism.
Why It Lasts
- The Proportion: It follows the Golden Ratio, making it visually “correct” in almost any architectural setting.
- The Materials: The contrast between the cold, hand-buffed stainless steel and the warm, individual leather squares creates a sensory experience.
- The Statement: Owning a Barcelona Chair (or a high-quality reproduction) immediately signals an appreciation for high-modernism.
Even a century later, this chair doesn’t look “retro”—it looks like the future.
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